Transmlsslon Engaged

Transmission Disengaged

NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).

TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH- MENTS

Tow only the attachments that are recom- mended by and comply with specifications of the manufacturerof yourtractor. Use common sense when towing.Too heavy of a load, while on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose tractionwith the groundand cause you to lose control of yourtractor.

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL

The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the factory, already filled with summer weight oil.

1.Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.

2.Unthraad and remove oil fill cap/ dipstick; wipe oil off. Reinsert the dip- stick into the tube and rest oil fill cap on

the tube. Do not thread the cap onto the tube. Remove and read oil level. If

necessary, add oil until "FULL" mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.

For cold weather operation you should change oil for easier starting (See the oil viscosity chart in the Maintenance sec- tion of this manual).

To change engine oil, see the Mainte- nance section in this manual.

ADD GASOLINE

Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck.

Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will in- crease carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quanti-

ties that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or

fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.

IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera- tures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good cold weather starting.

CAUTION: Alcoholblended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separa- tion and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage.

To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty.

Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instructions for additional information.

Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

TO START ENGINE

When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from

the tank to the engine.

1. Be sure freewheel control is in the transmission engaged position.

2, Sit on seat in operating position,

depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake.

3.Place motion control lever in neutral

(N)position.

4.Move attachment clutch to disengaged position.

5.Move throttle control to choke position. NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting procedures below.

6.Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to start position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do

not run starter continuously for more than fifteen seconds per minute. If the engine does not start after several attempts, move throttle control to fast

position, wait a few minutes and try again. If engine still does not start, move the throttle control back to the

choke position and retry.

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Craftsman 917.273180 manual Towing Carts and Other ATTACH- Ments, Before Starting the Engine, Check Engine OIL Level